How to Protect a Bed Cover

Bed covers are designed to prevent moisture from seeping into a mattress. Mattresses tend to absorb sweat and skin oil, turning the inside of the mattress to a breeding ground for bacteria. Bed covers eliminate this risk while also preventing mattress damage from other factors such as beverage spills. Bed covers are useful but can be damaged if they are not cared for properly. Protecting a bed cover from damage requires some regular diligence.

• 1

  Cover the bed protector and mattress with bed linens. Not only will the linens provide further padding when you sleep, they also provide a first line of defense against damage; sheets are normally cheaper to replace if they tear and can be easily washed.

• 2

  Prevent pets from jumping on the bed. Dogs and cats, in particular, have sharp claws and teeth that can easily tear a bed cover. Once the cover has been breached, it will lose much of its moisture protection ability.

• 3

  Clean spills as soon as they happen to prevent them from sinking into the bed. The cover should repel spills, but the longer a spill stays, the greater the chance it could find a way into the bed cover.

• 4

  Avoid smoking in bed. Not only can ash burns start a fire, they can permanently damage the bed cover and require replacement.

• 5

  Wash the cover regularly in accordance with the pad's instructions. Most bed covers can be thrown in a regular washing machine.